My people

At a time when the muggle-trocity of this world seems so senselessly rampant, it’s reassuring to know that at least we have each other – my people will listen to me, I know this much for sure. Maybe they won’t be able to do anything about my problem other than sympathize (or disagree), but they will listen.

When I suggested to Skacel that they should consider manufacturing a circular needle geared towards lace knitters, I honestly did not expect more than an acknowledgment of my plea. Something along the lines of, “we understand, and we’ll consider it” was all I could ask for. Never in a million years did I imagine that a little post on my little blog (plus threads I started on several knitting forums) could propel the launch of a whole new line of needles!

But I’m not the only one to “blame” for this episode. You… you, my people, listened and took action right along with me. More than one thousand of you e-mailed Karin Skacel Haack expressing your shared desire for something geared towards lace knitters. You! Not me! You!

And for this, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. What a contrast to Yarn Harlot’s list of ‘idiotic muggle behavior’! Do you think that if every knitter planning to attend a Harlot signing at a bookstore called ahead of time, the muggles would set up more than 14 chairs? I think so! I know so! When Ms. YH came to Boston in April 2006, and Porter Square Books had every potential attendee call and make a reservation, the signing was promptly moved from the petite (but wonderful) bookstore to a huge hall across the street.

We have the power. We have the numbers. We can propel the launch of a new needle line, f’chrisakes! We can fill a 750 person auditoriumten times over!!! We can rule the world!

Okay, maybe I’m taking this a bit far :).

Ahem.

The reviews of the new Addi ‘Lace’ circs are starting to pour in (read what Cat Bordhi, Clara Parkes, and May Yan have to say), and I personally cannot wait to give them a try! As you know, I hesitate to embrace the KnitPicks needles wholeheartedly, so I’m more interested in comparing the new Addis to my current faves for lace knitting, Inox Express (if they only came in sizes smaller than 2.75 mm… sigh!).

I’ll certainly let you know what I think once I get my filthy paws on them :). For now, I will write another letter.

My name is Kathy XXXXX, and I’m a passionate knitter in Cambridge, MA, USA. I contacted you in July 2006 upon learning that your company was entertaining the notion of manufacturing circular needles like the Addi Turbos, but with pointier tips, specifically with lace knitting in mind. To give my suggestion a small boost, I posted my letter to you on my blog, http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog, and urged other knitters to contact you, too, if they were so inclined.

I was shocked to hear that you received over 1000 letters supporting the idea of Lace Addi Turbos! This fact speaks volumes about the power of the knitting community. Furthermore, if your products weren’t impressive enough before, I have gained a whole new level of respect for the Skacel Collection and its willingness to listen, try out new ideas, and launch a demanded product in such a short amount of time. I thank you for stellar customer interaction even more than for the new needle line. I am certain other knitters share my gratitude.

Last, I want to thank you for maintaining the regular Addi Turbo line without changes, since it continues to be the needle of choice for many knitters, including me.

So far, the reviews of Lace Addi Turbo needles are more than positive, and I personally cannot wait to give them a try on my next lace project! I await their appearance at my local yarn shops with great anticipation.

My LYS owner special ordered me a couple of the new needles. I can’t wait for them to come in (somethime next week I hope.) I’m super excited about them. If not for you it would have never occured to me to ask for something better. I’m awed by the power of the knit community and totally amazed that Sakcel actually listened! I can’t wait for my new needles. I’ll let you know how it works out.

It will likely be months before I get to try them, but I’m excited nonetheless. I am constantly surprised at how many knitters there are out there, and how well-heard we can be. (Perhaps we should start a political movement or some such…)

I’m not even a lace knitter myself, but I think this is beyond wonderful. Funny that it should be so unusual for a company to listen to its customers like this (after all, we’re just asking them to make something so we can give them money for it), but it is. Skacel just got some major brownie points from me (and I am already a fan of Addi Turbos).

a heartfelt thanks for helping to get these needles in my grubby little hands. when i found out about them, i really had a freakout of joy because i, too, love the addi’s but sometimes a girl needs a sharper tip, ya know?!

WRT the Harlot coming to Cambridge, as of a few days ago Lucy at Mind’s Eye was going to get together with PSB and see if they could get on a spot on the Harlot’s book tour again. It’s a serious question if we would all fit in the Masonic Temple again, or do they need to find a bigger space.

Well, I don’t consider myself one of “your people”, while I do read your blog faithfully, I really enjoy your knitting and sewing, I don’t post hardly at all. I figure you don’t have time to read them all and respond to people you don’t know LOL. I DO agree with MJ, I think you should get a free trial for not only it being your idea but you posting so much about it. I also wanted to tell you how cool I thought it was that you had your Grandmother’s socks in Interweave Knits. I LOVE the magazine and I was so excited for you, even though I don’t know you. Have a great day..Oh, what did you ever do about the zipper that melted?

While I would like to think that Skacel listened to your suggestion, and to the many letters from other knitters, I am such a sceptic. Do you suppose Skacel felt the pressure from KnitPicks Options sales? Business competition and the almighty dollar seem to be the primary motivators behind this type of decision. However, I’m sure that the pleas of knitters must have made some kind of impact.

This was a squee moment for me if there ever was one! I went right to my local yarn store the other day, and while they didn’t have them in stock, nor would they for some weeks, I have reserved mine in every size they come in. Can.Not.Wait!

congratulations! that really is an accomplishment for knitters everywhere. maybe as an entity, we could get a yarn company to start mass producing inexpensive (but pretty) sock yarns like they do over in Europe…

knitting seems to be an ‘underground’ scene. didn’t know i knew a single knitter til i started knitting myself and talking to people about it. now, i realize there are thousands of knitting blogs, hundreds of yarn & knitting stores (online or otherwise), online support forums, conventions, you name it.

my ‘muggle’ friends might think i’m a bit nuts, but i do my best to educate the people around me. usually those on the receiving end of a FO are quite supportive. 🙂

That is really fantastic! I love to see consumerism work for the people. When I was nine my mother bought me Frosted Flakes because I wanted the mini frisbee inside. Imagine my disappointment when I did not get a frisbee! Mom sat me down with pencil and paper and I made out a letter to the company. A few weeks later I got a package containing not one, but FOUR mini frisbees in all different colors, and Mom got some coupons! Never be afraid to write a letter.

Thanks to you, I wrote Skacel a few days ago to request Addi Turbos in 2.25mm sizes for circular socknitters. I don’t like the joins on the Inox 2.25mm circs. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a prompt and gracious note back from Ms. Haack saying she appreciated my taking the time to comment. Maybe you can get the troops to take up my cause for the 2.25MM circ!

I just went to stitches west today and saw a big skacel display! I was curious as to why they had gold colored needles all of a sudden… I got closer for a look and realized that they were “for lace knitting”. then it dawned on me that it was real! they really listened and they did it! in hindsight, I’m not entirely sure why I didn’t buy any to try out. I really wish I had now! oh well… 😛

Just delurking to tell you I saw the KP Options in action, and I was not pleased AT ALL. The person who was using them also expressed disappointment. Why? Because the glue holding the cables inside their compartment which joins to the needle was thinning out and thus allowing the cables to slide out of the joint. I am so excited in trying the needles you inspired Skacel to create. Thank you!

Addi’s are my favourite needle by a long way. Unfortunately the company is so bad to deal with that most of the shops I know about in England are either not bothering to stock the needles or seriously thinking about not bothering to send in anymore orders.

A few weeks ago I was trying to get a 3.25 addi and it took me all day searching on the web and making phone calls to find somewhere that had them and the shopowner where I did find them said I was in luck because she wasn’t going to be selling Addi’s after her current stock is finished.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for mentioning that you are going to get your needles from your local yarn shop.

I have a small spinning and weaving store with an emphasis on lace knitting and will be carrying these needles along with the Naturas. While I love the internet I am frustrated by online shops who can, many times, undercut my prices due to volume. I NEED the customers who come into the shop to see and touch the stuff in person otherwise I won’t make it. Thank you again!

Hi! I am writing from Santa Clara, I just finished a grueling (but fun) 4 days working Stitches West, at the Webs booth. I have to tell you–I waited to buy my 47″ size 1 Addi lace needles (to Magic Loop socks on the long plane rides back to Massachusetts) and they were sold out at every booth! I couldn’t help but think of you and your campaign. They were so well recieved! Even more warm fuzzies came when I went to the Skacel booth to moan about the derth of needles and they handed some over for me to borrow till “whenever”. They are a first rate company through and through.

I’m telling my LYS owner she’s got to get these in…I know you’re a dedicated dpn-er, but dude. Magic loop will never be the same. I’m beyond excited…I might actually finish a pair of socks. Or knit 5 together and not swear while doing it. Much.

This is not a comment on this post, but a heart-felt thank you, nonetheless. I came across your instructions for cabling without a cable needle while in the process of frantically trying to finish an aran knit sweater for my (rather large) brother before he left my house in sunny San Diego to return to winter in Kentucky. OHMYGOD! Why has no one ever pointed this out to me before? It’s twice–nay–three times faster than using a cable needle, AND completely eliminated the puncture wounds I typically suffer from allowing the cable needle to slip between the sofa cushions between cable rows. I only wish I had known about it two months ago, when I cast on the cursed thing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!